A Prayer of Faith

My grandmother on my mother’s side has always been a great inspiration to me. She was 75 when I was born and lived another 18 years, so I had a chance to know her and spend some time with her, although we had moved halfway across the state when I was five.

Grandma came to northwestern Oklahoma in a covered wagon from Kansas. She and her husband (who died before I was born) lived in a dugout for some time before they could build a house. They were farmers and raised wheat and cattle.

Life was filled with hard work for Grandma. Read the rest of this entry »

Such was the theme of this year’s BYU Women’s Conference. Some of the talks are now available online. I have been listening to some of the talks the past week or so, and have been inspired and moved by several of them. Tonight, I listed to Elder and Sister Holland, two of my favorite speakers. For any woman needing a boost of inspiration, reasurrance in their roles and goals, and perspective on the Atonement and God’s love, I highly recommend this talk.

Another talk that greatly inspired me was by Sister Fogg’s talk: “Touch Our Eyes That We May See.” What an message (and example) of faith, courage, endurance, and service she gives! The principles she discusses are so powerful. I found my eyes really were opened a bit by what she had to say.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for that talk and other talk links. Come back and share what you found inspiring or helpful!

David (5 yrs) loves discussing superheroes and their powers. Recently he asked me: “Why doesn’t God give us superpowers? I mean, he wants us to be like Him, right?” I didn’t realize that James had associated God’s omnipotence and omniscience with superheroes and their powers. . .

Rebekah (3 yrs) and I were discussing the meaning of the word “popular” today. When I told her that it means that a lot of people like you she said: “I don’t think Satan is popular because he makes bad choices, but I know that God is. Everyone loves God.” This discussion followed her question: “Why does God create tornados when people get sucked up in them?” I’m glad she still feels Heavenly Father is popular despite his lack of obvious interference in some natural disasters.

We’d like to welcome a new guest writer, Kirsi. Following is her first submission.

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness…. (Ether 12:27 )

Ether 12:27 is one of those oft-read and little understood scriptures. I learned it first as a scripture mastery verse in seminary, but I have yet to truly learn it. Some time ago, when trying to discover what to do with my life, it came to me that my profession didn’t matter. What I wanted to be was a disciple. I wanted my life to be a dedication to my Savior. I got rid of my music. I changed my clothing. I changed my friends. I made a covenant with the Lord to guide me on the path of discipleship. But coming “unto the Lord” is not a romantic, beautiful trip when one is on the path. It is rocky, seems to twist and turn so you do not know what is ahead, and is sometimes downright dangerous. But the Lord never promised otherwise. Read the rest of this entry »

“Mamma,” my then-seven-year-old daughter said to me, “I need more loves from you.”

“Sweetie, you keep saying this at the end of the day. It’s time for sleeping now; we need our rest. I keep trying to give you more loves during the day, but you just shake me off and keep playing. Now, it’s late; it’s bedtime.”

“I know,” she sighed.

“I’m always happy to hold you and cuddle you, give you lots of kisses. Really, my love is always there for you, and I do try to give it; you just have to take the time to accept it. It’s like Heavenly Father’s love that way.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. He’s always there, always loving us; we just have to take a moment to stop and feel it. Just like right now, you’re holding still and I’m holding you, and you can feel my love, right? All cozy in your heart?”

“Uh-huh.”

“It really is the same with His love; all we need to do is hold still and feel it.”

The other day David (5ys) said: “Mom, there’s something wrong with me.”

Me: “What’s wrong?”

David: “I can’t stop thinking. I think all day long and all night long and I’m tired of it. I’m bored of thinking.” Read the rest of this entry »